Web page constructions with different technology containers

ABSTRACT

Wagering game systems can leverage web browsers to present wagering game content with a variety of technologies. For instance, an electronic wagering game table can present diverse wagering game content (e.g., multiple wagering games, portal games, social networking applets, hospitality menus, etc.) with a variety of technologies that interface with a web browser. Also, a single wagering game can be constructed from multiple technologies. A wagering game system can implement a framework that dynamically builds up a web page to use multiple technologies for presenting content with a web browser on a wagering game system. The framework can dynamically construct the web page, which can involve modifying objects, embedding objects, removing objects, and replacing objects that correspond to different technologies.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application that claims prioritybenefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/581,722 filed 5 Aug. 2011, whichis a National Stage Application of PCT/US11/46860 filed 5 Aug. 2011,which claims priority benefit of Provisional U.S. Application No.61/371,276 filed 6 Aug. 2010.

LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patentfiles or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. Copyright 2010, WMS Gaming, Inc.

FIELD

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to wageringgame systems, and more particularly to a browser based heterogeneoustechnology system.

BACKGROUND

A variety of technologies are available for creating interactive webpages. Web pages often include scripts that imbue a web page withfunctionality beyond that available with hypertext markup languagealone. In addition, features/functionalities are added to a web browserwith web browser add-ons. Add-ons include themes, extensions, andplug-ins. These allow the appearance of a web browser window to becustomized. Extensions typically integrate with logic of a web browserto add functionality to the web browser. Plug-ins also add functionalityto a web browser, but remains separate from the web browser. A plug-inand a web browser communicate via an established interface, throughwhich values and/or code are communicated. Further, web browsersaggregate additional technologies (e.g., extensible markup language,cascading style sheets, document object models) with scripts and add-onsfor a highly interactive web page.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the Figures of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an example conceptual diagram of a framework for dynamicconstruction of a web page source to leverage multiple technologies.

FIG. 2 depicts an example conceptual diagram for selecting a web pageconstruction code based on an index value.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of example operations for rendering a webpage from a dynamically built up web page source.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of example operations for communicatingevents to registered containers.

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of example operations for additionalconstruction on a web page source.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game machinearchitecture, according to example embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game network 700,according to example embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The description that follows includes exemplary systems, methods,techniques, instruction sequences, and computer program products thatembody techniques of the present inventive subject matter. However, itis understood that the described embodiments may be practiced withoutthese specific details. For instance, although examples refer to webbrowsers operating in a client-server model to request resources fromremote locations, embodiments are not limited. Embodiments can useresources local to the machine hosting the web browser. In otherinstances, well-known instruction instances, protocols, structures, andtechniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obfuscate thedescription.

Web browsers have become ubiquitous across machines/devices, and allowtechnological flexibility with extensions, plug-ins, extensible markuplanguage, etc. Wagering game systems can leverage web browsers topresent wagering game content with a variety of technologies. Forinstance, an electronic wagering game table can present diverse wageringgame content (e.g., multiple wagering games, portal games, socialnetworking applets, hospitality menus, etc.) with a variety oftechnologies that interface with a web browser. Also, a single wageringgame can be constructed from multiple technologies. A wagering gamesystem can implement a framework that dynamically builds up a web pageto use multiple technologies for presenting content with a web browseron a wagering game system. The framework can dynamically construct theweb page, which can involve modifying objects, embedding objects,removing objects, and replacing objects that correspond to differenttechnologies.

FIG. 1 depicts an example conceptual diagram of a framework for dynamicconstruction of a web page source to leverage multiple technologies. InFIG. 1, a web browser instance 103 is depicted. The web browser instance103 is an executing instance of a web browser program (e.g., Mozilla'sFirefox® web browser, Microsoft's Internet Explorer® web browser, theOpera Software's Opera browser, Apple's Safari® browser). Although notdepicted, a machine (e.g., wagering game table, wagering game terminal,portable wagering game machine, mobile phone, etc.) hosts the webbrowser instance. In FIG. 1, the web browser instance interacts with aconfiguration server 105. Thus, the machine that hosts the web browserinstance 103 communicates over any one of the Internet, a local areanetwork (e.g., a network within wagering game establishment), and a widearea network (e.g., a network that spans multiple wagering gameestablishments). FIG. 1 depicts several stages (A-D) of operations forthe framework to dynamically construct a web page source that presentswagering game content with multiple technologies. Of course, embodimentsare not limited to four stages of operations.

At stage A, the web browser instance 103 loads a base web page source101A. The base web page source may be a hypertext markup file, anextensible markup language file, etc. The base web page source 101Acomprises code to request web page construction code and code toinstantiate an event queue manager. It is not necessary for the base webpage source to comprise the event queue manager instantiation code.Embodiments can implement the event queue manager instantiation codeseparate from the base web page source (e.g., as part of the web pageconstruction code, incorporated into the web browser program, etc.).

At stage B, the web browser instance 103 requests the web pageconstruction code and instantiates an event queue manager. Responsive toloading of the base web page at stage A, a rendering engine 111 of theweb browser instance 103 recognizes a tag for a language. In thisexample, the rendering engine 111 recognizes a tag for “Script A” in thebase web page source 101A. Embodiments are not limited to scriptlanguages, though. Any of a variety of programming language can be used.A short list of example rendering engines (also referred to as layoutengines) includes Netscape Communications Corporation's Gecko® layoutengine, Apple's WebKit layout engine, the Trident layout engine, and thePresto layout engine. The rendering engine 111 processes (e.g.,interprets, translates, etc.) the marked up content of the base web pagesource 101A. After recognizing the programming language tag, therendering engine 111 invokes a code execution engine, which is notdepicted, to execute the embedded web construction request code. A fewexamples of code execution engines include the Rhino script executionengine, the SpiderMonkey script execution engine, Tamarin scriptexecution engine, V8 script execution engine, the Chakra scriptexecution engine, the Carakan script execution engine. The codeexecution engine executes the web construction request code to requestweb construction code 107 from the configuration server 105. The codeexecution engine also executes the event queue manager instantiationcode to instantiate an event queue manager 109.

At stage C, the web browser instance 103 executes the web pageconstruction code to build up the base web page. As a result of the webbrowser instance 103 (vis-à-vis the cod execution engine) executing theweb construction code received from the configuration server 105, aconfiguration process 113 is spawned in this example. Although it is notnecessary for a separate process to be spawned, depicting a separateprocess is at least helpful for illustrative purposes. Execution of theweb page construction code causes the configuration process 113 modifythe base web page source 101A. The configuration process 113 embeds tagsand code of various technologies in accordance with the web pageconstruction code. FIG. 1 depicts the configuration process 113 addingcode for an add-on technology A and code for an add-on technology B tothe base web page source 101A, resulting in a web page source 101B. Thevarious add-on technologies may be responsible for presenting differentaspects of the web page including video, animation, social networkingtools, browser appearance, etc. Examples of the various technologiesadded to the base web page source include the Flash® multimediaplatform, Unity gaming engine, TM HTMLS Video, Microsoft Silverlight,JavaFX, Unity, etc. At this point, the web browser instance 103 may notpresent anything to a user yet.

At stage D, the rendering engine 111 renders the built up web page andinstantiates a program(s) for different add-on technologies (“add-ontechnology containers”) based on the built up web page source 101B. Therendering engine 111 begins to process the built up web page source101B. As the rendering engine 111 processes the web page source 101B,the rendering engine 111 invokes appropriate programs to execute thecode embedded in the built up web page source 101B for the varioustechnologies. In this example, the web page source 101B indicates add-ontechnology A and add-on technology B. Accordingly, add-on technology Acontainer 119 and add-on technology B container 121 are instantiated.The web browser instance 103 and the add-on technology container A passcode and/or data via an interface 120. The web browser instance 103 andthe add-on technology B container 121 pass code and/or data via aninterface 122. With the add-on technology containers 119, 121, the webbrowser instance 103 renders wagering game content in a web browserwindow 117.

In this depicted example, the rendering engine 111 renders wagering gamecontent that includes a bonus automobile racing game 125, a slot game127, and a control panel 129. The rendering engine 111 renders the bonusautomobile racing game 125 in accordance with animation technology. Therendering engine 111 renders the slot game 127 in accordance with athree-dimensional (3D) game authoring technology. The rendering engine111 renders the control panel 129 in accordance with an aggregation oftechnologies (e.g., AJAX, dynamically loaded internal objects in theUnity3D® game development tool, the Silverlight® development platform,etc.). Assuming the add-on technology A container 119 implementsanimation technology, then the rendering engine 111 renders theanimation for the bonus 125 in accordance with output of the add-ontechnology A container 119. Assuming the add-on technology B container121 implements a 3D gaming engine, the rendering engine 111 renders theslot game 127 in accordance with output from the add-on technology Bcontainer 121. Although a third technology container is not depicted,the rendering engine 111 renders the control panel 129 in accordancewith output of a third technology container that corresponds to theaggregation of technologies and output of the rendering engine 111.Hence, in this example, the web browser instance 103 presents wageringgame content with multiple different technologies in a single webbrowser window. Further, multiple technologies can be employed topresent different aspects of a single wagering game. For instance, theweb browser instance 103 can employ 3D gaming engine technology topresent reels of the slot game 127, and employ animation technology topresent background of the slot game 127. In another example, the webbrowser instance employs Silverlight technology to sow a streaming videoor content from a video recorder. The web browser instance usesJavascript® technology or HTML5 based technology to tie into socialnetworking sites. And the web browser instance uses Flash technology toprovide a menu for a user to select a type of game content.

The web page that is eventually presented by a web browser arises from aweb page source that evolves from a base web page source modified byexecution of the web page construction code retrieved from a server,although the web page construction code could be local and distinct fromthe base web page source. The web page construction code that issupplied to the web browser instance can be selected from a variety ofweb page construction code. A store can host different web pageconstruction codes for different machines, locations, wagering games,environments, temporal values, etc. For example, a web page constructioncode can be selected based on time of year, particular casino, and typeof wagering game machine. FIG. 2 depicts one of many ways to select aweb page construction code.

FIG. 2 depicts an example conceptual diagram for selecting a web pageconstruction code based on an index value. In this example, a webbrowser instance 201 (e.g., on a wagering game machine) communicateswith a server process 209. The web browser instance 201 has access to aweb page source 205. The server process 209 has access to a store of webpage construction codes 213, 215, 217, via an index data structure 211.

At stage A, the web browser instance 201 loads the web page source 205,which is a base web page source at this point. Loading of the web pagesource 205 causes the web browser instance 201 to request web pageconstruction code.

At stage B, the web browser instance 201 generates and transmits arequest 207 for the web page construction code. In this example, therequest 207 indicates an identifier “A.” The identifier can representany one or more of wagering game, wagering game developer, wagering gamemachine, owner of the wagering game machine, a license identifier, etc.The identifier can be hard coded into the web page construction code, ordetermined from execution of the web page construction request code.Execution of the web page construction code can generate a querysubmitted to an operating system, a lookup in a data store identified inthe web page construction request code, etc. Furthermore, the web pageconstruction request code can determine additional variable values thataffect web page construction code selection. Examples of other variablevalues include player identification data, time of day, time of year,eligibility of the wagering game machine in bonus games, web browserversion, etc.

At stage C, the server process 209 looks up a web page construction codein accordance with the request 207. For this example, the identifier “A”corresponds to an “Index A” in the index data structure 211. The entryfor “Index A” references the web page construction code 213. Althoughthis example illustrates an index lookup, embodiments are not solimited. Embodiments can evaluate rules or conditions against therequest to determine which web page construction code should beselected. In addition, embodiments can assemble or build a web pageconstruction code. For instance, an embodiment can select different webpage construction codes based on information in the request from the webbrowser instance. A first web page construction code can construct acontrol panel for wagering game when executed. A second web pageconstruction code can construct a video for the wagering game whenexecuted. A third web page construction code can construct a hospitalityservices menu when executed, and so on. The server process 209 canassemble these different web page construction codes into a singleexecutable file.

Returning to the illustrated example, the server process 209 returns theselected web page construction code 213 to the web browser instance 201at stage D. Embodiments can return the web page construction code 213,or a reference to the web page construction code 213.

At stage E, the web browser instance 201 executes the web pageconstruction code 213. For instance, a TM Javascript interpreterinterprets the web page construction code 213.

Pursuant to execution of the web page construction code 213, the webbrowser instance 201 modifies the web page source 205 at stage F. Theweb browser instance 201 embeds code, tags, and objects into the webpage source 205 in accordance with the web page construction code 213.In this example, the web browser instance 201 inserts a video playerobject of a technology A, and a gaming engine object of a technology B.Although this example suggests literal embedding, web page constructioncan involve referential embedding of code or content (e.g., a referenceto a file to be presented or executed by an add-on technologycontainer).

A web browser instance can either render a web page as the web pagesource is augmented or built up, or the web browser instance can waituntil the web page source completes construction. When rendering the webpage, the web browser instance instantiates or launches technologycontainers for the different technologies of web page elements in theweb page source. The technology containers, sometimes referred to asapplication containers, hold or execute commands or programs and/orpresent content of a particular technology, separate from the webbrowser instance (e.g., an Adobe Flash container presents Flashcontent). In some embodiments, a container of a first technology can useused to present content of a second technology. For instance, a Unitycontainer can be used to present Flash based content. For brevity, theterm “container” is used herein to refer to both a set of instructions(e.g., program) for a container and an executing instance ofinstructions for a container.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of example operations for rendering a webpage from a dynamically built up web page source. At block 301, a loopof operations begins for each web page element or object. Examples ofweb page elements include applets, images, videos, fields, panels, etc.

At block 303, it is determined if the web page element indicates a webbrowser add-on technology container. For instance, tag attributes areexamined to determine if a particular technology is indicated for theelement. If the web page element does not indicate a web browser add-ontechnology, then control flows to block 305. If the web page elementindicates a web browser add-on technology, then control flows to block307.

At block 305, the element is rendered. The element rendered did notrequire an add-on technology container. For instance, a web browserrenders text or an image.

At block 307, it is determined if the web browser add-on technologycontainer is currently instantiated. For example, a web browserdetermines whether a container for a video has already beeninstantiated. If the add-on technology container is not currentlyinstantiated, then control flows to block 309. If the add-on technologycontainer is currently instantiated, then control flows to block 313.

At block 309, the web browser add-on technology container isinstantiated. For instance, a web browser instance can invoke an AdobeFlash player™. The web browser can instantiate an interpreter orcompiler to interpret or compile code.

At block 311, a technology container state structure is updated. The webbrowser instance updates the technology container state structure toindicate that the add-on technology container is currently instantiated.When an add-on technology container is terminated, the technologycontainer state structure is updated accordingly. Embodiments are notrequired to maintain a structure to indicate state of add-on technologycontainers. Embodiments can leverage operating system facilities todetermine whether an add-on technology container is currentlyinstantiated. Although not represented in FIG. 3, embodiments are notlimited to relying on a single instance of an add-on technologycontainer, and can also instantiate an add-on technology containermultiple times.

At block 313, the web page element is rendered with the web browseradd-on technology container instance. For instance, the web browserinstance passes content for a video to an instantiated video playercontainer. The video player container then plays the video.

At block 315 loop control ends. If the web page source includes anotherweb page element, then control flows back to block 301. Otherwise, theflow ends.

After a web page is rendered and the add-on technology containers areinstantiated, the web page and add-on technology containers can respondto events and perform operations accordingly. As illustrated in FIG. 1,an event queue manager is instantiated to manage an event queue for theweb browser instance. Local events (e.g., events generated from add-ontechnology containers or from the host device) and remote events (e.g.,events from bonus games, community games, casino events, etc.) arestored in the event queue. Add-on technology containers, a configurationprocess, and the web browser instance itself can register interest intypes of events and sources of events. For instance, an add-ontechnology container can register with the event queue manager aninterest in all events or particular types of events from a specificbonus games. As an example, a configuration process can register aninterest in all configuration type of events regardless of the source.As another example, multiple add-on technology containers can registeran interest in wagering game events. The event queue manager canmulticast a wagering game event to the multiple add-on technologycontainers. When each of the add-on technology containers consume theevent, they each perform corresponding operations. To illustrate, a spingame event is communicated to a video player container, an audio playercontainer, and a TM Java virtual machine container. The video playercontainer plays a reel spin video in response to the event. The audioplayer container plays sound effects based on player history and thereel spin. The Java virtual machine executes code that changes a controlpanel to depict a pressed spin button.

The event queue manager can also perform operations to maintain theevent queue beyond reporting or communicating events to entities. Theevent queue manager can accumulate or aggregate events and store asingle data item that represents an accumulation or aggregation ofevents. Entities can use operating system inter-process communicationsfacilities to learn of events of interest. Entities can also registerwith the event queue manager for direct communication of events. Inother words, whether local or remote, the event queue manager cancommunicate an event directly to a process. In case of conflicts, theevent queue manager can also enforce prioritization among registeredprocesses for direct communication. For instance, the event queuemanager may only communicate event A to the construction process eventhough both the construction process and an add-on technology containerare registered for direct communication, assuming the web pageconstruction process has a higher priority than the add-on technologycontainer.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of example operations for communicatingevents to registered containers. At block 401, an event is detected. Forinstance, a web browser instance receives an event from a wagering gameserver. A web browser can also detect an event generated by any one ofthe web browser instance, an add-on technology container, aconfiguration process, and the host device/machine.

At block 403, it is determined if a container is registered forexclusive direct communication. If a container is registered for directcommunication of the event, then control flows to block 415. In the caseof direct communication, then the event should be communicated to theregistered container without action being taken by the event queuemanager. Hence, the event queue manager should be able to discard theevent. A container, however, may not be registered for exclusive directcommunication. In other words, other containers can be subscribed to anevent even though another container has registered for directcommunication. One example of this scenario would be if a firsttechnology container needs to quickly exchange messages with the processor application that generates the event. Meanwhile, a second and thirdtechnology container update their state based on the event, but withoutreplying to the process or application that generates the event. If acontainer is not registered for exclusive direct communication of theevent, then control flows to block 404.

At block 404, the event is enqueued. An event can be a message, dataunit, object, etc. The event can contain and/or reference one or morepieces of data. Examples of the pieces of data include an event type(e.g., wagering game event, bonus game event, hospitality event, etc.),time of the event, source of the event (e.g., a particular bonus game, anetwork address of a server, etc.), data type (e.g., integer, float,string, defined class, etc.), and attributes of the event (e.g., amountwagered, amount won, cost of a beverage, a receipt, a virtual asset,etc.).

At block 410, an event is dequeued. The dequeued event may or may not bethe event enqueued at block 404. The event queue manager can manage theevent queue in accordance with a variety of techniques. The event queuemanager can comprise a first set of one or more threads or processes toperform enqueue operations and a second set of one or more threads orprocesses to perform dequeued operations. The event queue manager canalso switch back and forth between enqueue and dequeued operations.

At block 411, it is determined if there are any subscribers to theevent. If there are no subscribers to the event, then control flows toblock 415. If there are subscribers to the event, then control flows toblock 413.

At block 413, the event is communicated to the subscriber container(s)via the corresponding interface(s). For example, the event queue managercalls a method or function defined by the interface that passes the data(e.g., a packet) to the subscriber container. As another example, theevent queue manager could pass a reference to the event data via theinterface.

At block 415, the event is discarded. The event queue manager can markthe event for removal to a heap, deletion, etc. The event queue manageror an associated process can log detection and/or discard of events.

Although FIG. 4 depicts enqueue and dequeue, embodiments can depart fromthe depicted ordering. An event queue manager can enforce prioritizationamong either or both of registrants and events. For instance, events canregularly be stored in a FIFO order. But the event queue manager canevaluate each event to determine whether the event should be placedhigher within the event queue, or even whether the event should becommunicated immediately without queuing.

FIG. 4 also was limited to depicting event consumption by technologycontainers. Events can also be consumed by a configuration process.Although earlier examples illustrated the initial web page sourceconstruction, the configuration process can further alter a web pagesource after the initial build up. Various events can trigger aconfiguration process to add, remove, replace, and modify web pageelements. For example, a player may wish to swap out wagering games. Thenew wagering game may use a different technology container than the onebeing swapped out, while using the same technology containers for thehospitality services menu and for an ongoing bonus game.

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of example operations for additionalconstruction on a web page source. The example operations of FIG. 5 arepredicated on the assumption that events trigger additionalconstructions. For instance, a change in a bonus game or a win cantrigger construction operations. Control is depicted as flowing fromblock 401 of FIG. 4 to block 501 of FIG. 5. At block 501, it isdetermined if a configuration process is registered or subscribed to theevent. If the configuration process is registered for the event, thencontrol flows to block 503. If not, then control flows to block 403 ofFIG. 4.

At block 503, construction code that corresponds to the event isretrieved. The construction code can be retrieved from a local or remotestore. The constructions code can be retrieved based on informationindicated by the event. For examples, the construction can be retrievedbased on anyone of an event type, an event code, a source of the event,and a reference to the construction code in the event. The configurationprocess may wait for a bonus game event that indicates the bonus gamehas been concluded. The construction for that bonus game event mayrequire construction of a new bonus game web page element or tearingdown of the web page element(s) that correspond to the bonus game,

At block 505, loop of operations begins for each element indicated inthe retrieved construction code. In this example flowchart, the loop ofoperations includes operations to determine state of a relevanttechnology container and operations to implement the construction.

At block 507, the type of construction operation for the web pageelement is determined. For example, it is determined whether theconstruction code calls for removing the web page element, modifying theweb page element, replacing the web page element, or inserting the webpage element.

At block 509, it is determined if the operation will affect an activetechnology container. For instance, an add-on technology container maybe operating upon the web page element. For the configuration process tomodify the web page element, the add-on technology container may besuspended or terminated. If the construction operation will affect anactive container, then control flows to block 511. If the constructionoperation will not affect an active container, then control flows to oneof blocks 513, 517, 521, and 525.

At block 511, the active container is interrupted. For instance, aconfiguration process submits a request to an operating system toterminate the active container. As another example, the configurationprocess submits a request to the active container for the activecontainer to enter a pause or stall type of state. The active containercan then inform the configuration process when it has entered a state ofnot, at least, writing data corresponding to the web page element, andwait until a notification from the configuration process allows thepaused/stalled active container to resume or begin accessing datacorresponding to the web page element. The configuration process canalso request the active container to terminate itself, instead ofrequesting through the operating system. An active container may not beaffected by a construction operation if the active container does notoperate upon any data corresponding to the web page element; if theactive container is currently operating upon data that is independent ofthe web page element, and the construction operation will completebeforehand; etc.

If the construction operation is a remove type of constructionoperation, then control flows to block 513. At block 513, the web pageelement being removed from the web page source is located. For example,the configuration process searches for a particular tag or string of theweb page element.

At block 515, the web page element is removed from the web page source.For instance, the configuration process can make a copy of the web pagesource. The configuration process can then remove the web page elementfrom the copy of the web page source, which will replace the web pagesource. In another example, the configuration process clears a memoryspace that hosts the web page element after clearing any references ordependencies upon the data in that memory space.

Control flows from block 515 to block 529, which determines whether theloop ends. If there are additional web page elements, then control flowsfrom the block 529 back to block 505. If there are no additional webpage elements, then the flow ends at block 529.

If the construction operation is a modify type of constructionoperation, then control flows to block 517. At block 517, the web pageelement is located in the web page source.

Then, at block 519, an attribute of the web page element is modified.For instance, the configuration process modifies a value assigned to anattribute of an object. For example, screen coordinates may be modifiedto resize or move an object. A drag/drop property can be modified toallow or disallow a player from moving the web page element. A value ofa visibility attribute of an object or the web page element can bemodified to temporarily make the object or web page element visible ornot visible. Control flows from block 519 to block 529.

If the construction operation is a replace type of constructionoperation, then control flows to block 521. At block 521, the web pageelement to be replaced is located in the web page source. For instance,the configuration process indicates a web page element to be replacedand a new web page element that will replace it.

At block 523, the web page element to be replaced is overwritten withthe new web page element. If the web page elements occupy differentsizes of memory, then the configuration process will adjust the web pagesource accordingly. Control flows to block 529.

If the construction operation is a insert type of constructionoperation, then control flows to block 525. At block 525, an insertionis located within the web page source.

At block 527, the web page element is inserted into the web page sourceat the insertion point. For example, the web page source is segmented inmemory. The new web page element is then appended to a first segment inmemory. And then a second segment is appended to the new web pageelement. As another example, the new web page element is appended to theweb page source and branches are inserted to direct flow of the web pagesource accordingly. Control flows to block 529 from block 527.

In some embodiments, the operations of FIGS. 3-5 can be performed bylogic not described in the block diagrams. In certain embodiments, theoperations can be performed by executing instructions residing onmachine-readable media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, theoperations can be performed by hardware and/or other logic (e.g.,firmware). In some embodiments, the operations can be performed inseries, while in other embodiments, one or more of the operations can beperformed in parallel. Moreover, some embodiments can perform less thanall the operations shown in any flow diagram.

Wagering Game Machine Architectures

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game machinearchitecture, according to example embodiments of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 6, the wagering game machine architecture 600 includes awagering game machine 606, which includes a central processing unit(CPU) 626 connected to main memory 628. The CPU 626 can include anysuitable processor, such as an Intel® Pentium processor, Intel® Core 2Duo processor, AMD Opteron™ processor, or UltraSPARC processor. The mainmemory 628 includes a wagering game unit 632 and a web page constructionunit 636. In one embodiment, the wagering game unit 632 can presentwagering games, such as video poker, video black jack, video slots,video lottery, etc., in whole or part. The web page construction unit636 performs operations that involves building up or constructing aninitial web page source to include web page elements of varioustechnologies. For instance, the web page construction unit can performthe examples operations depicted in FIG. 5.

The CPU 626 is also connected to an input/output (I/O) bus 622, whichcan include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+ frontsidebus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 622 is connected to a payoutmechanism 608, primary display 610, secondary display 612, value inputdevice 614, player input device 616, information reader 618, and storageunit 630. The player input device 616 can include the value input device614 to the extent the player input device 616 is used to place wagers.The I/O bus 622 is also connected to an external system interface 624,which is connected to external systems 604 (e.g., wagering gamenetworks).

In one embodiment, the wagering game machine 606 can include additionalperipheral devices and/or more than one of each component shown in FIG.6. For example, in one embodiment, the wagering game machine 606 caninclude multiple external system interfaces 624 and/or multiple CPUs626. In one embodiment, any of the components can be integrated orsubdivided.

Any component of the architecture 600 can include hardware, firmware,and/or machine-readable media including instructions for performing theoperations described herein. Machine-readable media includes anymechanism that stores (“machine-readable storage media”) and/ortransmits (“machine-readable signal media”) information in a formreadable by a machine (e.g., a wagering game machine, computer, etc.).Examples of machine-readable storage media include read only memory(ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, opticalstorage media, flash memory machines, etc. Examples of machine- readablesignal media includes media suitable for transmitting software over anetwork.

While FIG. 6 describes an example wagering game machine architecture,this section continues with a discussion wagering game networks.

Wagering Game Networks

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game network 700,according to example embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 7,the wagering game network 700 includes a plurality of casinos 712connected to a communications network 714.

Each casino 712 includes a local area network 716, which includes anaccess point 704, a web page configuration server 706, and wagering gamemachines 702. The access point 7304 provides wireless communicationlinks 710 and wired communication links 708. The wired and wirelesscommunication links can employ any suitable connection technology, suchas Bluetooth, 802.11, Ethernet, public switched telephone networks,SONET, etc. The web page configuration server 706 serves configurationcode to wagering games 702 that request construction code. The web pageconfiguration server 706 can also look up various configuration codesbased on information in the requests and/or environment information(e.g., casino defined variables, time of day, holiday, currentconvention, etc.). In some embodiments, the web page configurationserver 706 can also serve wagering games and distribute content todevices located in other casinos 712 or at other locations on thecommunications network 714.

The wagering game machines 702 described herein can take any suitableform, such as floor standing models, handheld mobile units, bartopmodels, workstation-type console models, etc. Further, the wagering gamemachines 702 can be primarily dedicated for use in conducting wageringgames, or can include non-dedicated devices, such as mobile phones,personal digital assistants, personal computers, etc. In one embodiment,the wagering game network 700 can include other network devices, such asaccounting servers, wide area progressive servers, player trackingservers, and/or other devices suitable for use in connection withembodiments of the invention.

In some embodiments, wagering game machines 702 and wagering gameservers 706 work together such that a wagering game machine 702 can beoperated as a thin, thick, or intermediate client. For example, one ormore elements of game play may be controlled by the wagering gamemachine 702 (client) or the web page configuration server 706 (server).Game play elements can include executable game code, lookup tables,configuration files, game outcome, audio or visual representations ofthe game, game assets or the like. In a thin-client example, the webpage configuration server 706 can perform functions such as determininggame outcome or managing assets, while the wagering game machine 702 canpresent a graphical representation of such outcome or asset modificationto the user (e.g., player). In a thick-client example, the wagering gamemachines 702 can determine game outcomes and communicate the outcomes tothe web page configuration server 706 for recording or managing aplayer's account.

In some embodiments, either the wagering game machines 702 (client) orthe web page configuration server 706 can provide additionalfunctionality that is not directly related to serving configurationcode. For example, account transactions and account rules may be managedcentrally (e.g., by the web page configuration server 706) or locally(e.g., by the wagering game machine 702). Other functionality notdirectly related to game play may include power management, presentationof advertising, software or firmware updates, system quality or securitychecks, etc.

Any of the wagering game network components (e.g., the wagering gamemachines 702) can include hardware and machine-readable media includinginstructions for performing the operations described herein.

General

This detailed description refers to specific examples in the drawingsand illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive subjectmatter. These examples also serve to illustrate how the inventivesubject matter can be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Otherembodiments are included within the inventive subject matter, aslogical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes can be made to theexample embodiments described herein. Features of various embodimentsdescribed herein, however essential to the example embodiments in whichthey are incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject matter as awhole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, andapplication are not limiting as a whole, but serve only to define theseexample embodiments. This detailed description does not, therefore,limit embodiments of the invention, which are defined only by theappended claims. Each of the embodiments described herein arecontemplated as falling within the inventive subject matter, which isset forth in the following claims.

1. A method of creating a browser based heterogeneous technologyecosystem, the method comprising: loading, via a web browser, a web pagesource that comprises configuration code; executing, by the web browser,the configuration code on a machine that hosts the web browser; inresponse to said executing the configuration code, instantiating anevent queue manager that manages an event queue responsive to saidexecuting the configuration code; requesting web page construction codethat indicates web page elements responsive to said executing theconfiguration code, wherein the web page elements comprise a first webpage element that corresponds to a first technology and a second webpage element that corresponds to a second technology; building up theweb page source to include the web page elements in accordance with theweb page construction code resulting in a built up web page source;rendering the built up web page source, wherein said rendering the builtup web page source comprises, instantiating a first add-on technologycontainer to render the first web page element; and instantiating asecond add-on technology container to render the second web pageelement.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the first add-ontechnology container one of executing code of the first web page elementin accordance with the first technology and presenting content of thefirst web page element in accordance with the first technology.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the first add-on technology containercomprises one of an interpreter, a virtual machine, an audio player, ananimation engine, a game engine, and a video player.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said web page source comprises at least one ofhypertext markup language and extensible markup language.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein said requesting the web page construction code thatindicates web page elements comprises generating a construction coderequest that indicates at least one of a construction code identifier, awagering game identifier, a wagering game developer identifier, anoperating system of a wagering game machine, and information about theweb browser.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving arequest that indicates an operation for the first web page element ofthe web page source; performing the operation on the first web pageelement, wherein the operation comprises one of removing, modifying, andreplacing; rendering the web page source after said performing theoperation on the first web page element completes.
 7. The method ofclaim 6 further comprising: terminating the first add-on technologycontainer prior to said performing the operation on the first web pageelement, wherein said rendering the web page source after saidperforming the operation on the first web page element completescomprises re-instantiating the first add-on technology container.
 8. Themethod of claim 6 further comprising: suspending the first add-ontechnology container prior to performing the operation on the first webpage element, wherein said rendering the web page source after saidperforming the operation on the first web page element completescomprises resuming the first add-on technology container.
 9. The methodof claim 1 further comprising: receiving a request that indicates anoperation to insert a new web page element into the web page source,wherein the new web page element corresponds to the first technology;one of terminating and suspending the first add-on technology container;inserting the new web page element into the web page source; andrendering the web page source with the inserted new web page element,wherein said rendering the web page source with the inserted new webpage element comprises restoring the first add-on technology containerto render the new web page element.
 10. One or more computer readablestorage media, having instructions stored therein, which, when executedby one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to performoperations that comprise: loading, via a web browser, a web page sourcethat comprises configuration code; executing the configuration code;instantiating an event queue manager that manages an event queueresponsive to said executing the configuration code; requesting web pageconstruction code that indicates web page elements responsive to saidexecuting the configuration code, wherein the web page elements comprisea first web page element that corresponds to a first technology and asecond web page elements that corresponds to a second technology;building up the web page source to include the web page elements inaccordance with the web page construction code resulting in a built upweb page source; rendering the built up web page source, wherein saidrendering the built up web page source comprises, instantiating a firstadd-on technology container to render the first web page element; andinstantiating a second add-on technology container to render the secondweb page element.
 11. The one or more computer readable storage media ofclaim 10, further comprising the first add-on technology container oneof executing code of the first web page element in accordance with thefirst technology and presenting content of the first web page element inaccordance with the first technology.
 12. The one or more computerreadable storage media of claim 11, wherein the first add-on technologycontainer comprises one of an interpreter, a virtual machine, an audioplayer, an animation engine, a game engine, and a video player.
 13. Theone or more computer readable storage media of claim 10, wherein saidweb page source comprises at least one of hypertext markup language andextensible markup language.
 14. The one or more computer readablestorage media of claim 10, wherein said requesting the web pageconstruction code that indicates web page elements comprises generatinga construction code request that indicates at least one of aconstruction code identifier, a wagering game identifier, a wageringgame developer identifier, an operating system of a wagering gamemachine, and information about the web browser.
 15. The one or morecomputer readable storage media of claim 10, the operations furthercomprising: receiving a request that indicates an operation to insert anew page element into the web page source, wherein the new web pageelement corresponds to the first technology; one of terminating andsuspending the first add-on technology container; inserting the new webpage element into the web page source; and rendering the web page sourcewith the inserted new web page element, wherein said rendering the webpage source with the inserted new web page element comprises restoringthe first add-on technology container to render the new web pageelement.
 16. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and, acomputer readable storage medium having computer usable code executableon the at least one processor, the computer usable program codeincluding code to: load a web page source that comprises configurationcode; execute the configuration code; instantiate an event queue managerthat manages an even queue responsive to said execution of theconfiguration code; request web page construction code that indicatesweb page elements responsive to said execution of the configurationcode, wherein the web page elements comprise a first web page elementsthat corresponds to a first technology and a second web page elementthat corresponds to a second web page technology; build up the web pagesource to include the web page elements in accordance with the web pageconstruction code resulting in a built up web page source; render thebuilt up web page source, wherein said code to render the built up webpage source comprises code to, instantiate a first add-on technologycontainer to render the first web page element; and instantiate a secondadd-on technology container to render the second web page element. 17.The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising code to: cause the firstadd-on technology container to one of execute code of the first web pageelement in accordance with the first technology and present content ofthe first web page element in accordance with the first technology. 18.The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first add-on technology containercomprises one of an interpreter, a virtual machine, an audio player, ananimation engine, and a video player.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein said web page source comprises at least one of hypertext markuplanguage and extensible markup language.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the code to request web page construction code that indicatesweb page elements comprises code to generate a construction code requestthat indicates at least one of a construction code identifier, awagering game identifier, a wagering game developer identifier, anoperating system of a wagering game machine, and information about a webbrowser.